There were attempts made by 2 manufacturers to launch the hybrid car in India. But both of them failed quite miserably. Honda tried to capture a few eyeballs with the hybrid civic but the price tag of 21.5 lakh did not attract any customers to the showrooms. Eventually they had to get rid of existing stock of cars at almost half the price.

Toyota also launched its world renowned hybrid car – the Prius. But it too suffered the same fate of the Civic hybrid. At a price tag of 25+ lakh, only wealthy entrepreneurs and industrialists could afford to ‘save the planet’.

However, all that may be about to change. According to The Economic Times, the government is working on a policy to encourage manufacturing of hybrid cars in India through excise duty concessions. The reason behind this effort is to protect environment and reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuel. The proposal will be headed by Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Minister Mr Praful Patel.

The sops will be in the form of custom duty benefits, excise duty benefits, incentives for research and development of the hybrid vehicles etc. As of now, the government is conducting a research to analyze the infrastructure availability and sops needed for the promotion of these cars in the domestic market.

If all goes well, the future of India is certainly GREEN.

Source – economictimes.indiatimes.com

The EEECO Charge is a fully electric MPV with a 50kW motor (that’s 67.98 bhp for the petrolheads) and a 24kWh Lithium-ion battery that promises a driving range of around 100km on one full charge. The car also has a ‘sport mode’ in which the top speed goes right up to 100km/hr (Tesla, you can take a sigh of relief now)

The SX4 Hybrid combines Suzuki’s 1.2l K-series engine with 50kW motor mated to a 5-speed Automated Manual Transmission to provide low emission and high fuel economy. The braking power of the car is converted to electricity and stored in the lithium-ion batteries which the electric motors can then use to propel the car. It is based on the same KERS concept introduced last year in Formula 1

Both the cars are a part of National Hybrid Propulsion Program (NHPP) and the ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) program and will be used as transport vehicles for CWG games. The company recently handed over 2 Maruti Suzuki SX4 Hybrid cars and 1 Eeco Charge to Arvinder Singh Lovely, Hon’ble Minister of Transport for NCT Delhi. The remaining 14 cars will be delivered shortly.

On the occasion, Mr. Shinzo Nakanishi, Managing Director and CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited said,

I am happy that engineers at Maruti Suzuki have developed these future technology vehicles. This project has helped our engineers to increase their knowledge and enhance their R&D capability. We are grateful to the Government for their leadership to promote green technology in automobiles. Maruti Suzuki is happy to be associated with the Commonwealth Games national initiative, through these vehicles.

A team of 25 company engineers worked on this project with global hybrid technology and component suppliers.

Press Release

Maruti Suzuki unveils SX4 Hybrid and Eeco Charge Electric concepts for demonstration

Embracing green-technologies for a green world….

New Delhi, 28th September 2010: India’s car market leader Maruti Suzuki today handed over first lot of Two Maruti Suzuki SX4 Hybrid cars to Mr Arvinder Singh Lovely, Hon’ble Minister of Transport for NCT Delhi. The vehicles intended for use at the forthcoming Commonwealth Games, were handed over by Mr. Shinzo Nakanishi, Managing Director and CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, in the city.

Maruti Suzuki has made ready a lot of 14 future technology vehicles for the use at Commonwealth Games. These include 10 Maruti Suzuki SX4 Hybrid Cars and 4 Maruti Suzuki ‘Eeco Charge’ vehicles. The balance vehicles will be handed over to the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee for use by the Officials during the Commonwealth Games.

On the occasion Mr. Shinzo Nakanishi said, “I am happy that engineers at Maruti Suzuki have developed these future technology vehicles. This project has helped our engineers to increase their knowledge and enhance their R&D capability. We are grateful to the Government for their leadership to promote green technology in automobiles. Maruti Suzuki is happy to be associated with the Commonwealth Games national initiative, through these vehicles.”

Maruti Suzuki has developed the SX4 Hybrid concept vehicles as a part of the demonstration fleet. The demonstration of the fleet of SX4 Hybrids at the Commonwealth Games 2010, is in line with the ambitious NHPP and MNRE program outline.

SX4 Hybrid concept development has been taken up by Maruti Suzuki as a part of the Government initiated and SIAM coordinated NHPP & MNRE National Hybrid Propulsion Program (NHPP) and the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy Sources (MNRE)’s High Energy Density Battery Development Program.

Capability building @ Maruti Suzuki

The development of Hybrid and Electric vehicles is one of the exciting initiatives undertaken by Maruti Suzuki to enhance its R&D capabilities and gear itself for greener technologies. Through this exercise Maruti Suzuki is keen to expand its learnings on green technologies that put minimal stress on non-renewable energy. A team of 25 Maruti Suzuki engineers worked on this project with global hybrid technology and component suppliers.

These future technology vehicles by Maruti Suzuki demonstrate how eco-friendliness and personal mobility can be packaged together as an exciting product. These concepts have been developed by a team of Maruti Suzuki engineers and were showcased at Delhi Auto Expo 2010.

‘SX4 Hybrid’

SX4 Hybrid is a Full Parallel Hybrid with Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) on a sedan platform. SX4 Hybrid presents a case of evolution of transportation system with elements of flexibility, style and eco-friendliness. SX4 Hybrid offers mobility solution in an eco-friendly yet stylish manner.

The hybrid system used in the SX4 Hybrid features an electric motor and twin clutch arrangement with advance Lithium-ion battery technology. This concept combines a 1.2 litre K-series petrol engine and a 50 kW electric motor along with 5-speed Automated Manual Transmission. Together, these provide high fuel economy with lower emissions. The SX4 Hybrid is also capable of running solely on its electric motor, offering a further boost to fuel efficiency and zero emission modes in city driving. The SX4 hybrid offers 25 per cent more fuel efficiency compared to conventional gasoline vehicle.

About NHPP and MNRE

The National Hybrid Propulsion Programme (NHPP) is an initiative of the Government of India. It is a public-private partnership initiative and India’s first in hybrid technology; being jointly funded by Govt. of India and Indian Automotive OEM’s. NHPP is expected to develop awareness and generate interest in the Indian automobile market to the world of hybrids.

Considering the importance of battery technology for successful EV/HEV development, MNRE (Ministry of New and Renewable energy) has initiated a program on high energy density battery. The objective of this joint program, funded by Govt. of India & automotive OEM’s, is to carry out the local development of high energy Li-ion battery packs by battery manufactures for pure electric/ hybrid electric vehicles.

Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) has formed a core group of OEM’s to take these projects forward. In this initiative SIAM functions as a nodal agency for OEM’s, component manufacturers and Government of India. In line with Phase I of the project, OEM’s are to showcase their Hybrid and Electric vehicles during Commonwealth Games 2010.

Toyota Prius has been the world’s best selling hybrid, since its launch in the international market in 1997. The Prius has sold more than two million units since then. It was a bold move by Toyota’s Indian arm to launch the Prius in March 2010 in the wake of global recalls which affected the Prius as well.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Private Limited (TKM) launched the Prius Hybrid with a sales target of 12 units per month, and now Toyota is awestruck by the response to the Prius Hybrid. Toyota has received over 80 bookings for the Prius in three months, which is more than double the company’s projected sales numbers.

Toyota has delivered 45 cars till now. The majority of the Prius buyers are industrialists, doctors and corporate executives aged between 35 & 50 years. The Prius has been priced at Rs 26.5 lakh and Rs 27.86 lakh (Ex-showroom, New Delhi).

The first hybrid car to be launched in India was the Honda Civic Hybrid which barely created any impact on the Indian consumer. Honda was forced to discontinue the Civic Hybrid after clearing stocks by offering a discount of 8 lakh rupees. The car failed to live up to Honda’s expectations. There could have been several reasons for its poor performance, but many hold the looks of the car, different from the normal Honda Civic accountable.

But Toyota, with its Midas’ touch in India, has got it right with the Prius Hybrid as the model enjoys a great deal of popularity all over the world.

The success of the Prius clearly marks a change in the Indian car market, with well-to-do Indian consumers willing to  shell out the extra money for a technologically advanced environment-friendly (debatable) car.

Honda Siel India would be observing these developments closely, so could Honda bring its other hybrids, possibly the CR-Z hybrid to India?

Source: BSM

Car Advice Australia have revealed that Mitsubishi will introduce the next generation Montero with plug-in hybrid technology. The Mitsubishi Montero is offered in India with a 3.2-liter diesel engine that can be purchased with either manual or automatic transmission.

CA Australia also reports the Outlander, which just received a facelift in India, could also come with a similar hybrid powertrain.

Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited president and CEO, Robert McEniry -

The next generation will be plug-in hybrid and will do more and have more capabilities than current models.

Mitsubishi exhibited a hybrid SUV named Concept PX-MiEV which was a plug-in hybrid type at the Tokyo Motor Show last year.

Mitsubishi’s plug-in hybrid system displayed in the PX-MiEV concept is driven by all four wheels by two permanent magnet synchronous motors in combination with a 1.6L DOHC MIVEC petrol engine which powers the front-wheels and acts as a generator. The car can also be used as a generator to run household appliances!

Source – Car Advice Australia

The update is that Toyota will not be making a loss on the Prius in India. This is not exactly a “breaking news”, but  rather a no brainer. After all, every car maker wants to introduce models that make good money for them.

Strategically speaking, the question is important as the Prius is coming to India under an limited order of 200 vehicles. The pricing is above Rs. 25 lakh and Toyota already have orders for 54 vehicles. That is a good order booked in a short time for this car.

Mr. Sandeep Singh, Deputy Managing Director, Toyota Kirloskar Motors had this to say in an interview for Forbes India -

Priced at over Rs. 25 lakh, isn’t the car very expensive?
We always knew that we are going to be very expensive and that’s primarily because of the custom duty levied on the car. We did approach Toyota Motor Corporation for subsidies but we were advised to speak to the Government of India. That’s how it works in most other countries where we have launched the Prius. Most governments have a subsidy or concession plan in place. So for the last six months we have been talking to the government, but we realised that it will take time to get any special concessions. The question was whether we should wait to work with the government, or go ahead and launch it. So, we decided to be selfish and launched the Prius which has all the features of any luxury car and I think it will connect with a limited, select group of people.

That means you lose money on the Prius?
No, even though the price is high and we might not be able to get huge orders, we took a decision not to take a loss on the product. Otherwise it would be very difficult for us to convince Toyota Motor Corporation to sell the vehicle here. But then, we are also not making any money if you factor in the advertising and promotion cost that we are incurring on the vehicle.

This is very interesting. We have a precedence in the Hybrid market with the Honda Civic Hybrid. The pricing of the Civic hybrid at launch was Rs. 21.50 lakhs. The car received an overwhelming response from the customers, but at that price, Honda acknowledged that it was overpriced and inaccessible to the Indian customer. The company then slashed the prices by 40% for a limited period and offered the car at an discounted price of Rs. 13.4 lakhs.

If Toyota receive a good response for the Prius, then the possibility of a fresh consignment (other than the first batch of 200) of vehicles for the Indian market is very real. The question on my mind is, will Toyota go the Honda way with the Prius pricing? If at Rs 25 lakh a piece, Toyota does not make a loss on the Prius, then it is indeed an overpriced car for the Indian market.

If I were to buy a Prius, I would wait for two events. First, wait for the second consignment of vehicles (these may  incorporate some improvements for the Indian conditions). Second, wait for any price reductions. What happens to the price, if the government of India provides the customs concessions? Will Toyota pass it on the customer?

If neither comes by, you can give a pass to the Prius and consider other hybrids that are on the way to the Indian market. Its worth the wait.

Source – Forbes India

If you think hybrids are the future of automobiles, hit your “Brakes” and wait. Over the last few months we witnessed the massive recall of Toyota vehicles in the US and UK to fix faulty accelerator pedals. This is followed by Honda’s recall of its City and Jazz models across many countries to fix faulty electronic windows switches on the driver’s door.

The latest cause of worry is one of Toyota’s best selling cars in the US – the Prius. Toyota has acknowledged a problem with the brakes on the Prius. The hybrid Prius has an advanced regenerative braking system that converts kinetic energy to electrical energy. Apparently, the problem is caused by a glitch in the brake software that has forced the company to issue a massive recall of 270,000 Prius vehicles in US and Japan.

Well, Toyota is not alone. It appears that one of the other best selling hybrid cars might have an problem as well. Ford  has launched a “Customer Satisfaction Program” aimed specifically for Ford Fusion Hybrid (sedan, not connected with the Fusion sold in India) customers. Cars manufactured prior to Oct 17, 2009 will receive a free software update to reduce the chances of a brake failure. Ford has not acknowledged a fault with the braking system on the Fusion hybrid, but indicates that the customers might experience a “different brake feel” due to the switch between the electronic and hydraulic brake systems.

Every car or technology has a learning curve. Perfection (especially Quality) can only be achieved over time and generations. Hybrid technology is one such case. While recalls have an adverse impact on the company’s image, it provides an opportunity for other car makers to look back at their technology and improve it if necessary.

Source – Green Car Report

Business Standard is reporting that Toyota is presently conducting feasibility studies in India for its hybrid car Prius. It is understood that Toyota will not stop with just offering petrol and diesel powered variants in the country.

In March this year, to estimate the reaction of the general public, the Toyota Prius was put on display at the 18th International Engineering and Technology Fair (IETF )in Bangalore.

Toyota could take the CBU route but that will bump costs into head-spinning levels. The Indian government does not offer any duty slashes for imported hybrid vehicles. The Honda Civic Hybrid had no takers when its price tag was around 20-25 lakh rupees. When the price was brought down by 8 lakh rupees, the consignment was sold in just a matter of days.

That leaves us with just one feasible option – CKD kits.

Only if priced well, will the Prius find buyers in India. Maybe Toyota could run an introductory offer so that Indian customers get familiar with the technology and added benefits of a hybrid car. Later on, as the word spreads, it could hike prices according to the level of demand.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to how many hybrid vehicles Toyota wants to sell in India

Source - Business Standard

As per floating rumors, Mahindra could be working on an affordable hybrid two wheeler for the Indian market. They might offer battery packs+motor along with either petrol or LPG option.

Mahindra is not new to hybrids or hybrid technology. They showcased a Mahindra Scorpio SUV concept vehicle with hybrid powertrain at last year’ Auto Expo.

Some reports in the past claim this vehicle was meant primarily for the United States market where Mahindra will start selling its products next year.

Even if Mahindra was working on hybrid scooter or motorcycle, which price band would they choose to compete? Mahindra is a type of company which first decides on the competitor and then designs a product to wipe it out. Hybrid vehicles are costly to build as they involve additional parts and customers would also have to pay more to maintain them.

If Mahindra were to seriously look at a competitor for this hybrid motorcycle that will obviously offer higher fuel efficiency, it has to be in the 100-125cc segment which makes up 60-odd percent of the motorcycle market share in India. And that’s exactly where the tussle for fuel efficiency takes place everyday.

A person looking to buy a vehicle that costs above this price point is looking more in the power, pick up and top speed department. A motorcycle or scooter with a hybrid powertrain would make less sense at this price point.

So is it going to be the Hero Honda Splendor slayer, the baap of all efficiency bikes driven by the “mileage kya hai?” race of people?

Wait, will there even be a hybrid two wheeler from them in the first place? You know, such a thing has never been put on sale before.